AFTER PAUL LEFT to visit Dany, Angie slipped into the shower and washed her hair. She dressed in the black underwear and black thigh-high stockings, and dried her hair, smoothing it back off her face with a silver butterfly barrette. She took time over her makeup adding grey-blue eye shadow, a touch of mascara and pale pink lipstick. The dress fitted perfectly displaying just the right amount of cleavage. She fastened a fine silver chain around her neck and put on earrings. Slipping her feet into the sandals, Angie hoped they would dance. She tucked money into her beaded bag to contribute to the couples’ future, and after checking her camera lens and battery, she grabbed her coat and made her way downstairs.
She opened the door to Nick’s knock. The black dinner suit made his eyes seem bluer. Her gaze swept over him from his broad shoulders down his strong thighs to his highly-polished shoes. Dany was right. He was a gorgeous man. She smiled when she realized he was doing the same to her.
Nick grinned. His lips puckered in a soft whistle. “That’s a great dress. You look beautiful.” He presented her with a delicate orchid corsage. “I can’t improve on perfection.”
She smiled. “How thoughtful, thank you. I’ll pin it to my purse.”
“Once my father sees you, he is going to cause me angst,” he said with a chuckle.
“Why?”
Dad wants to see me married before…” He broke off, his eyes shadowed and turned to walk to the car.
She was surprised at his change of mood, but let it go. It was really none of her business. He opened the door for her, and she sat in his white Ford sedan. He settled behind the wheel. “I like your perfume, its familiar.”
“Chanel.” She hoped his ex-wife didn’t wear it.
“It’s lovely and quite distinctive.”
“It’s been around a long time. Made famous by Marilyn Monroe who said she wore it to bed and nothing else.”
He gave a husky laugh.
She warmed under the gaze he cast her. It was a while since she’d dressed for a man’s approval.
Nick started the car. “The wedding flag was first raised at the groom’s house. The flag bearer then proceeds to the bride’s home where the bride’s mother greets the groom with a glass of wine. She pins a boutonniere of herbs to his lapel. He asks for her blessing, and she kisses him on both cheeks.”
Angie took a deep breath. These charming old fashioned customs were not often practiced these days. “Lovely. Where is the church?”
Nick turned south onto the main road. “The Greek Orthodox church in Rose Bay. The reception is at the Catalina Restaurant on the harbour shore.”
“I know the Catalina. The backdrop of Sydney Harbour will have great appeal overseas.” Just the right touch of glamor. She so wanted the article to be a success. “You have gained permission for me to photograph the wedding? Made it clear that their photos might appear in the magazine?”
“Yes. They’re excited.”
“I’ll send them prints and copies of the magazine, but it could be months before the article appears, if it all. My publisher may reject it.” The wedding would need to offer something special, or the idea wouldn’t stand a chance.
“Page and Doran understand that.”
In a leafy Eastern Suburbs street, onlookers gathered at the church. Nick took her arm and led her over to a short, grey-haired man with a moustache. His gentle face bore an unhealthy flush. “Pop, this is Angie Martin.”
“How do you do, Mr. Alexander,” Angie shook his rough, calloused hand and smiled into blue eyes like Nick’s.
He nodded. “You’re the photographer.” He glanced at his son. “Nicky didn’t tell me you were a looker.”
“Pop!” Nick shook his head with an apologetic grin.
“I’m old enough to speak my mind.” Mr. Alexander gave a mischievous smile. “You don’t mind, do you, Angie?”
She smiled. “Of course, not.”
“See, Nicky?” Mr. Alexander patted his son’s arm. “You have become too careful with life. Death can come and grab you before you know it. Seize life with both hands.” He smiled at her. “Your name is Martin? Not Greek, then, my dear.”
“No, Mr. Alexander. My descendants came from France.”
He nodded his approval. “You can share my front pew.” He eyed her camera. “And take your pictures.”
“Thank you.”
“Not at all, my dear. It’s my pleasure.”
The groom, Doran, was several inches shorter than Nick, with dark brown eyes and black hair. He waited on the steps, shuffling nervously, holding a bouquet of white camellias. Nick hugged him and said something in his ear that made him laugh. His shoulders relaxed. A long, white limousine carrying the bride, drew up outside the church and Page stepped out, her pretty, smiling face partly hidden beneath a white veil. She made an exquisite bride as she gracefully stepped onto the pavement holding up the skirts of her white gown sewn with seed pearls. Angie clicked away as Doran presented her with his bouquet. Angie couldn’t have asked for better!
The groom disappeared inside.
“The bride’s dress is stunning. I need the name of the dressmaker,” she said to Nick.
“You can ask Page at the reception. We must go in.” Nick took her arm, as four bridesmaids in their flowing, jade-colored gowns, and four young flower girls in white gowns with white rosebuds in their long dark ringlets, lined up in the entry preparing to walk down the aisle with a young pageboy, chattering in their sweet high voices.
Inside, the church had an arched timber ceiling, its classically simple interior flooded with candlelight. White flowers and bunches of ribbon decorated each pew. Angie sat beside Nick and his father. “I will explain the ceremony to you.” Mr. Alexander gave a nod to her camera. “You can take your pictures if you’re ready.”
She rose to her feet and snapped away as the flower girls and bridesmaids advanced down the aisle. And then came the smiling bride on her father’s arm.
Hauntingly beautiful music flowed through the church. “The music is divine,” Angie whispered to Nick when she sat down again.
A hush came over the guests as the ceremony began.
In his soft gruff voice, Nick’s dad explained the significance of the Stefanosi, as a pair of dainty crowns made of silver, crystal and pearl joined by a white satin ribbon, were placed on the bride and groom’s heads. “They are bound together in their new family. And will be king and queen in their house. The priest is saying a prayer over the Stefana and the newlyweds. He wishes them God’s blessings in their new life together.”
“Enchanting,” Angie murmured. And it was, quite perfect.
* * *
Nick leaned against the stone wall and stared out over the harbour, taking in breaths of the tangy, salt-tinged air. He hadn’t expected to be so moved by his cousin’s wedding. The ceremony went perfectly, and he was pleased to see Angie enjoying it. But the fact that it would likely be the last family wedding Pop would he here for, caught him in the gut. He breathed deeply as Angie came to stand beside him. “It’s beautiful here.” She lowered her camera. “I’ve missed Sydney.”
“Maybe you’ll come back soon.”
“Perhaps.” She blinked, then focused her gaze beyond his shoulder, to a boat skimming over the water. “I didn’t expect to feel so comfortable here. Sometimes it’s as if…I’ve never been away.”
Might she have decided to come back to Australia? Surely something had happened to cause her to leave at such a young age. He cautioned himself. Angie looked like a goddess lit by soft moonlight and the flickering golden glow from the restaurant’s candle-lit lanterns. He resisted the urge to lean down to kiss her. “Just look at that view. Hard to beat eh?” The moored yachts rocked in a gentle breeze. He’d never been so quickly drawn to a woman before. Sure, it was physical. He wasn’t blind. But it went beyond that to something deeper he’d yet to figure out. She was vulnerable beneath the confident persona. Something had hurt her deeply in the past. And while he was curious, he would never ask. He wanted her to tell him. He should take what this evening offered and let it go at that. Disturbing evidence was piling up, which drew her sister into a web of deceit. Things could get messy.
He wouldn’t tell Angie tonight that someone had come forward to report a missing person who could prove to be the John Doe. They would have to await the DNA results, which might take a while seeing as there wasn’t a lot left of the body. Nick tried to bury the disturbing thoughts. It was Doran and Page’s wedding, and they deserved it be a special night, which would remain in their memories for a lifetime. Guests filed into the venue.
Nick smiled down at Angie as the music began. He reached for her hand. “Let’s go inside.”